You know the feeling. You arrive at work early in the morning and instantly feel overwhelmed by everything you have to tackle that day. You spend all day running around, barely feeling like you make any progress, and then you come back the next day and start over again! Busy days can get the best of you if you're not proactive about managing your time and to-do list. Here are four simple tips to help you better manage your busy days.

Create Time Blocks for Each Task

If you have several different categories of tasks to focus on, such as billing, phone calls, and accounting, try planning your day in blocks. For example, you could plan on working on billing from 8:00 - 10:00, accounting from 10:00 - 12:00, and phone calls from 12:00 - 1:00. This scheduling strategy helps ensure you don't accidentally get too absorbed in one category of tasks and end up completely neglecting your other responsibilities.

2. Use the Pomodoro Technique

The Pomodoro Technique is a time management strategy that helps keep you focused and productive. Basically, you work on tasks for small intervals, taking a quick break between intervals to recharge your brain. You could, for example, work for 20 minutes, take a 2-minute break, and then work for another 20 minutes throughout the day. Set a timer to keep yourself on-task. Some things you can do during your breaks include getting a drink of water, stretching, or checking social media.

3. Exercise First Thing in the Morning

Exercise has the amazing ability to leave you feeling more focused and energized. When most people get busy, they skip their workout for the day. But fitting in that workout first thing in the morning may actually help you stay focused and get more done throughout the rest of the day.

4. Get Rid of Distractions

The next day you work, pay attention to the things that distract you. Every time something distracts you, do something to get rid of that distraction. For example, if you find yourself distracted by social media apps on your phone, consider deleting them. You can still access the accounts on your computer, but that tends to be less tempting. You'll get more done without distractions all around you.

Super busy work days don't have to feel overwhelming. With the tips above, you'll tackle your to-do list and end the day feeling accomplished.